About the Senate

The Academic Senate of the California State University consists of fifty-three faculty members elected by their colleagues at the twenty-three individual universities comprising the California State University system. The Academic Senate, founded in 1963, advances the principles of academic freedom and freedom of inquiry promotes academic excellence in the CSU; recommends policies to the Board of Trustees and the Chancellor on systemwide academic, professional, and academic personnel matters; and serves as the official voice of the faculties of The California State University in matters of systemwide concern. The Academic Senate is the primary consultative body on the academic implications of systemwide fiscal decisions.

The Executive Committee of the Academic Senate, led by the Senate Chair, organizes the activities of the Academic Senate and is principally responsible for representing the Academic Senate in its dealings with many groups, including the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor and Chancellor's Office staff, the California State Student Association, the CSU Alumni Council, statewide policymakers, and the public. With offices at the CSU Headquarters in Long Beach, the Academic Senate operates throughout the year as an agency of CSU faculty governance. Plenary sessions are held at the Chancellor’s Office preceding each meeting of the CSU Board of Trustees from September through May.

The Academic Senate recommends nominees to the Governor for the Faculty Trustee member serving on the CSU Board of Trustees.

The Constitution and Bylaws are the guiding documents of the Academic Senate. The principles and policy document, originally known as the Blue Book and last revised in 1999, is a compilation of significant documents and policies across the history of the Academic Senate. Since the establishment of the Academic Senate in 1963, it has been chaired by faculty from across the system.

In addition to the aforementioned documents, senators are encouraged to consult the orientation, guidelines for members and officers, and parliamentary procedures documents.

Documents

(NOTE: Documents are in Portable Document Format (PDF) and require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. Download a current version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.)